Sunday, April 18, 2010

Doolittle Reunion - Saturday

Today was one of those days that makes you proud to be an American.  Proud because so many people showed up to honor a great group of heroes. 

Upon arrival, we went into the museum to see if we could get autographs.  Well, that line went on forever.  I asked one of the volunteers on staff about how quick the line was moving, wondering if we'd be able to make it through before the surviving Doolittle Raiders closed up shop at 4pm.  He wasn't sure, but it appeared doubtful.  He shared that people starting lining up at 10:30am.  They didn't start signing articles until 2pm!


Seventeen B-25s made it to the the museum for today's activities.  I was told by some of the crews that two of the B-25 that made it to Urbana (where they staged before flying into Dayton), had mechanical issues and were not able to fly into the Air Force Museum. Below are a couple of pictures of the flight line from today.  I'll get a gallery up soon. (Keep in mind, the guy taking the photos is a complete amateur.)

Tomorrow is the memorial service and fly-by. 

Below is more news about the event:
   
Kankakee: B-25 vet recalls missions against Japan - Kankakee Daily Journal
The three B-25s stopped at Greater Kankakee Airport Thursday en route from Minneapolis to Dayton, Ohio for the 68th Doolittle Raiders Reunion ...
   
WWII veteran tells of the Doolittle Raid - San Jose Mercury News
The "Doolittle Raid" was hatched to bomb military targets in Tokyo using 16 B-25 bombers launched from the USS Hornet, which sailed from Alameda Point 17 ...

Doolittle Raider’s Reunion – Saturday Update! from WarbirdRadio.com
WARBIRD RADIO – The Doolittle Raider’s Reunion has been a fantastic event!  Thousands were in attendance this Saturday to help America say thank you to these amazing men.  Seventeen B-25’s are expected to fly in the memorial flight Sunday morning honoring the Raiders.  We’ll have video posted as soon as possible of the historic flight.  [...]

When Doolittle did much - Covington News
Four ship lengths of a World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber end-to-end. 225 feet was how much open flight deck on the USS Hornet Lieutenant Colonel James H. ...

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